Canton, MA considering ordinance to ban e-cigarette, dissolvable tobacco, snus sales

[Placebo Effect]

CASAA: Call to Action! Canton, MA Ordinance to BAN E-Cigarette Sales (Hearing August 12th!)

Canton, Massachusetts: Ordinance Would Ban E-Cigarette Sales in the City




[proposed ordinance] [Board of Health website]

If enacted, this ordinance would:

• Make Canton, MA the first and only city to prohibit the sale of all modern smoke-free products -- including e-cigarettes, dissolvable tobacco and any other non-pharmaceutical nicotine product -- to adults. The ordinance may also ban the sale of snus.
• Specifically exempts the most hazardous tobacco products (cigarettes and other smoked tobacco products). The sale of a few smoke-free products would be permitted, but these (chewing tobacco and loose snuff) are not the harm-reduction products that smokers choose to switch to.
• Raises the age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21, but still bans these adults from purchasing e-cigarettes and other less hazardous products.

The Canton Board of Health in Canton, Massachusetts is currently considering an ordinance that would forever ban the sale of electronic cigarettes in the city, all while allowing cigarettes to continue to be sold. The Board of Health will consider the ordinance on Monday, August 12, 2013 at 7pm at the Canton Town Hall in the Salah Meeting Room at 801 Washington Street in Canton.

CASAA Director Karen Carey will be in attendance. If you are in the area and could attend and possibly speak, please e-mail CASAA at board@casaa.org.

Enactment of this ordinance would protect cigarette markets at the expense of smokers' health. Vapers from across the United States are encouraged to tell their story. Please see below on how to oppose this ordinance.

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What to say:

1. Let them know that you strongly oppose banning all sales of electronic cigarettes and other modern tobacco products, but that you would support such a ban on sales to minors.

2. Tell your story on how switching from smoking cigarettes to a far less hazardous alternative product has changed your life. When and why did you start using an e-cigarette? What effect has this had on your smoking of tobacco cigarettes? What has been the effect on your health?

3. Explain that research has consistently shown that virtually all e-cigarette users are using them as a substitute for smoking. The vast majority tried to quit smoking multiple times, using the other methods available and failed.

4. Tell them that there are thousands of e-cigarette users in Massachusetts who have benefited from the availability of e-cigarettes.

5. Direct them to the CASAA.org website and research library for more information.

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CASAA is urging its members to contact Canton, MA's Director of Public Health (who will distribute your comments to the Board of Health members). Please try to get your testimony in before 4:00 PM Eastern on Friday, August 9th.

John L. Ciccotelli, R.S., C.H.O.
Public Health Director -- Canton, Massachusetts
Phone: (781) 821-5021
E-mail: jciccotelli@town.canton.ma.us

 

[alexrho]

Hope I could be here!

Fight this persons that doesn't know what an ecig even is and tell them the truth.

How stupid are this politics .... They allow real cigarettes and they want to ban the Ecigs and the other alternatives

 

[DC2]

CASAA Director Karen Carey will be in attendance. If you are in the area and could attend and possibly speak, please e-mail CASAA at board@casaa.org.

This.

Are there any Massachusetts vapers reading this?
If so, are you contacting your vendors to make sure they are aware of this?

I have located the following from VaporSearchUSA.com...
--CJ Ecigs in Chicopee (UNABLE TO CONTACT VIA PHONE OR WEBSITE)
--Eastern Vapor in Saugus (THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS LEGISLATION)
--Pleasure Island Vapor in Churchton (PHONE NUMBER IS BUSY)
--Rebel Smoke in Fitchburg (PHONE NUMBER GOES TO MESSAGE BUT USED CONTACT US FORM)
--Safer Vapors in Webster (THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS LEGISLATION)

 

[rogergendron1]

This.

Are there any Massachusetts vapers reading this?
If so, are you contacting your vendors to make sure they are aware of this?

I have located the following from VaporSearchUSA.com...
--CJ Ecigs in Chicopee (UNABLE TO CONTACT VIA PHONE OR WEBSITE)
--Eastern Vapor in Saugus (THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS LEGISLATION)
--Pleasure Island Vapor in Churchton (PHONE NUMBER IS BUSY)
--Rebel Smoke in Fitchburg (PHONE NUMBER GOES TO MESSAGE BUT USED CONTACT US FORM)
--Safer Vapors in Webster (THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS LEGISLATION)

No kidding I am outraged ... So is mark from eastern vapors I was jist there today (I live 2 miles away) picking up juice and talking about this among other things and we cant beloeve it .!!! How can the sale of the most dangerous type of nicotune cigaretts be sold and smoked jist ok but vapor be banned lol wut !!! I am blown away that somthing that is helping people qujt smoking can be banned .

 

[Mattnatti]

Email sent to the Public Health Director

 

[BigBen2k]

I sent an e-mail as well (I'm in Western MA). Here's the reply:

Thank-you for your valuable comments on Canton’s proposed regulation and on the nicotine smokeless devices. I will ensure the Canton Board of Health receives a copy of your comments before the hearing on the Regulation on August 12th. Based on the comments from e-smokers who have used these product to quit, the Board is still open to revising its complete ban. There are expected to be more arguments, pro and con, at the hearing. However, to date, we have only received two comment s in favor of e-cigarettes from Massachusetts so far, and none from Canton. We do expect a lively discussion at the hearing.

Again, thank-you for your input.

Sincerely,
John Ciccotelli

So I would encourage everyone from Massachusetts to step up, an e-mail Mr Ciccotelli at jciccotelli@town.canton.ma.us .

There should be some noise made about this in Canton; apparently no one knows, yet.

 

[Brewlady]

--CJ Ecigs in Chicopee (UNABLE TO CONTACT VIA PHONE OR WEBSITE)

The owner of CJ's recently spoke in Boston, and also plans to attend the hearing on Monday.

I am REALLY getting sick of living in this damned Nanny state.

 

[shakeytails]

My thinking is Where's The Fudge? So, they're wanting to ban e-cigs that have not been proven harmful (admittedly not been proven benign, either), yet will continue to allow sales of regular cigarettes, which have been proven for years to have harmful effects? If you're going to ban e-cig sales, then you'd better ban the tobacco sales as well!

Is common sense too much to ask for? Nevermind... I know the answer to that!

 

[BigBen2k]

...I am REALLY getting sick of living in this damned Nanny state.

I had to do a bit of research on Canton, to understand why anyone might want to advance such silly regulations. In short, it's primarily a small residential town, with a focus on education, and arts.

The legislation proposed by their Board of Health would impose some unusual restrictions on all retail outfits, from corner stores, all the way up to chain stores, and I don't believe it'll pass, given who will be there to present objections.

I do take exception to your "nanny state" characterization; I lived in Texas for 10 years, before moving to Massachusetts, and I can't think of a better state to live in. The processes here are very open, and all input is welcome. Texas on the other hand... well, we all read the news, but if that doesn't do you in, look at who's representing them. There are worse states than Texas, but not a lot.

(Let's not dwell on this; politics have little room here; we all like to vape!)

 

[machinestatic]

As someone who has always lived in Massachusetts, I told this news to a friend of mine who isn't even a smoker, let alone a vaper... and he said, "That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life." That about sums it up.

 

[Rickajho]

The owner of CJ's recently spoke in Boston, and also plans to attend the hearing on Monday.

I am REALLY getting sick of living in this damned Nanny state.

Don't be too hard on the Commonwealth. On balance, I think this place does a pretty good job protecting individual liberties. Conservative really doesn't translate well here. When it comes to outrageous stuff like this we seem to have at least a few people in charge with a brain cell or two that responds to common sense.

But Nanny Nutters - that's another thing. Based on the cover letter for the proposal this sounds like it's backed by the same Nannies who tried to get that bill passed to prohibit the sale of flavored cigars and snus. They actually used kids to read the political spots on radio. Who was that? The "...for the children!!!"... this place, I think: Our Staff - Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids

 

[machinestatic]

Don't be too hard on the Commonwealth. On balance, I think this place does a pretty good job protecting individual liberties. Conservative really doesn't translate well here. When it comes to outrageous stuff like this we seem to have at least a few people in charge with a brain cell or two that responds to common sense.

But Nanny Nutters - that's another thing. Based on the cover letter for the proposal this sounds like it's backed by the same Nannies who tried to get that bill passed to prohibit the sale of flavored cigars and snus. They actually used kids to read the political spots on radio. Who was that? The "...for the children!!!"... this place, I think: Our Staff - Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids

Pff, "for the children." How about instead they could, you know, teach store employees how to do their job and ACTUALLY ask people to show their IDs. 99% of the time I see people buy cigarettes (or beer, or lottery tickets) the clerk does not ask to see an ID. That also reminds me, though unrelated, of how frequently someone will get on a T bus and say "Uh, duh, I swear I have money on my card, I don't know why it's not working" and they are allowed to ride for free.

Underaged purchases, and MBTA debt? I wonder why... heh

 

[7sixtwo]

Just one more reason not to live in Taxachusetts.

Good luck to y'all up there.

 

[szot]

Mass is a great state with many freedoms and voices allowed to be heard, compared to many other states...TY Chris (owner of CJ's in Chicopee Mass) in advance for attending this hearing...I also have emailed this Canton committee voicing my opposition but I too live in Western mass, just like Chris from CJ's) and not Canton in Eastern mass....my feelings is that the general population of Canton and surrounding towns should be large and their wishes be voiced at this meeting, since it is their town,,,,and we support the decision to not ban vaping or sales, but don't expect us to fight your fights for you...I haven't heard much from anybody vaping in Canton or the surrounding towns there...

 

[ElectricalSocket]

John Ciccotelli seems alright. The people to convince are Dr. Jonathan Wickinoff and Dr. Lester Hartman. Hartman says:

“I will be going back to Dedham and working with them as well on this,” said Hartman, whose pediatric practice currently serves 384 kids from Canton. “And I will go to every town that surrounds Canton and talk to them. I will be going to Randolph; I will be going to Milton; and I will be going to Stoughton. I plan not to stop right now.”
“It’s time to be more aggressive,” he added. “If you don’t do this, the other towns will, and you will be behind the eight ball and not viewed as a progressive town.”
Source

Read this entire article if you haven't already. Can't find an e-mail for Hartman yet. Might just call his office tomorrow. It's imperative that HE be convinced to leave e-cigs alone for a year or so. I think we all can agree that more research is needed, but some of that research is happening literally right now and will be completed by next year. They need to hold up.

The gateway argument needs to be countered with the truth, cigarettes taste disgusting compared to e-cigs. Even a cigarette addict of over 10 years will find cigarettes taste gross after using e-cigs. Why in the world would a non-smoker go from e-cigs to cigarettes? They wouldn't. It's impossible. That's like saying someone who enjoys scented candles or incense is going to move up to huffing log fires, it's just not possible. You can taste the carbon monoxide in smoke after using e-cigs. It's gross. Let them know, they don't know anything about tobacco or nic addiction from first hand experience.

 

[retrox]

My girl's from Holyoke, we're both vapers. She's pretty happy to not be in MA anymore. I sent this:

Dear Mr. Ciccotelli,

I am a 42 year-old (former) smoker of 26 years. In early February of this year, I was introduced to e-cigarettes by a friend who had employed this technology to quit smoking after battling the habit himself for nearly a quarter of a century. Prior to this introduction, I had attempted to quit using numerous other methods, including everything from cold-turkey to Chantix, with only a modicum of success. E-cigarette products have empowered me to finally earn my freedom from a deadly habit, and the health benefits resulting from my transition to "vaping" from smoking are numerous and significant.

Perhaps most importantly, becoming a non-smoker has given me the opportunity to enjoy an active lifestyle again, as I am no longer plagued by the fatigue and decreased respiratory function that are the hallmarks of cigarette addiction. I feel better than I can recall feeling throughout my twenties and thirties, and I have added an exercise regimen to my daily routine as a result. Upon noticing my increased vigor and the ease with which I transitioned from smoking to vaping, my fiancee purchased her own e-cigarette kit and has been smoke-free herself for nearly four months now. Three of my co-workers have also made the switch over the past two months. Two of them have quit cigarettes entirely and the third is well on his way with our support and encouragement.

Mr. Ciccotelli, with the greatest due respect, I do not need any institution to prove or disprove to me the efficacy of e-cigarettes, as I am surrounded by all of the evidence I need on a daily basis. My friends and loved ones are adding valuable years to their lives before my very eyes, and it pains me greatly to consider that such an easy and remarkably efficient gateway to smoking cessation might be closed to any smoker who wants to live a longer, healthier life. I implore the Board of Health to reconsider the amendments to the Youth Access Tobacco Regulation that would prohibit e-cigarette sales to adults in Canton.

Regardless of your stance on the efficacy of e-cigarettes, none can deny that prohibiting sales of tobacco harm-reduction products to adults while continuing to allow sales of cigarettes and orally-administered tobacco products would be sending the absolute worst message possible to your constituency and the citizens of every state throughout the nation. Please do not limit the tools we have at our disposal to find healthier lives for ourselves and our families.

In conclusion, I would urge the members of the Canton Board of Health to please visit CASAA.org for additional information on what people are doing to help themselves.

Thank you very much for your time and generous consideration.

Give 'em hell, MA.

 

[DC2]

That is one hell of an awesome letter.

 

[BigBen2k]

Lester Hartman, MD
Hartman's going to be a tough nut to crack, but his field is pediatrics, and his interest is primarily in raising the min age to 21.

Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center: Profile: Jonathan P. Winickoff, MD, MPH
Winickoff is younger, but well respected. Same interests.

Bring solid arguments. It shouldn't be hard. Heck, anyone could still sell e-cigs without nic, and anyways, aren't most e-cigs sold online?

It also looks like this may be intended as part of a 5 year study; maybe there's some room for e-cig studies?

 

[Barbara21]

Something occurred to me.

Since both Dr. Hartman and Dr. Winickoff are in pediatrics, how about pointing out that the vapor produced by vaping parents is far less dangerous than the smoke produced by smoking parents?

 

[Barbara21]

Here's the letter I sent Mr. Ciccotelli...



Dear Mr. Ciccotelli:


As a former Massachusetts citizen - went to MIT, then worked in Boston,1978 through 1984 - I've retained many fond memories of the state so the news that Canton, MA is considering banning the sale of e-cigs caught my eye.


I smoked for almost thirty years (started at age 23). And I won't deny that I enjoyed it - the lighting of the cigarette, the deep inhalation, the blowing out of clouds of smoke, etc. I found it very relaxing. But I knew it was bad for my health and tried to stop many times but inevitably fell back into the habit.


I had heard of e-cigarettes, had tried a couple of the disposable brands a year or so ago but they didn't work for long. They simply didn't taste very good and the low-power batteries always seemed to run out at the wrong time. So I continued smoking.


About four months ago, I noticed an e-cigarette store had opened up nearby and stopped in. I had no intentions of 'quitting' smoking but was curious. Ended up walking out with a basic starter kit.


I have not touched a cigarette since that day.


My elder son noticed the health benefits first. Exactly one week later, he looked at me while we were in the car and said "Mom, did you notice your cough is gone?" He was right - I simply hadn't noticed because it had been part of my life for so long.


Now, four months later, I feel wonderful. Full of energy. My breathing is obviously better, my chest doesn't feel 'tight', and I'm even regaining the higher notes in my singing that I'd lost over the years.


Yes, I realize there is no 'proof' (yet) that e-cigarettes are 'safe'. Studies like this take time and funding. But I believe they are vastly healthier than regular cigarettes, mainly because of how I feel and by comparing the list of ingredients involved in both methods.


I sincerely hope that the city of Canton votes against banning the sale of e-cigarettes in their city (especially since they would continue to allow the sale of regular cigarettes which makes absolutely no sense). If I hadn't found a nearby store, I might not have tried e-cigarettes again and I would still be smoking.


Sincerely,